He gave an irritable nod. ‘Yes, because I can’t practise my sword play.’
Aurelia smiled impishly. ‘There might be a way around that.’
Quintus’ look was pitying. ‘Riding to Capua and back to train with Gaius each day isn’t an option. It would take far too long.’
‘That’s not what I’ve got in mind.’ Aurelia found herself hesitating. Say it! she thought. You’ve got nothing to lose. ‘I could be your sparring partner.’
‘Eh?’ His eyebrows rose in shock. ‘But you’ve never used a sword before.’
‘I learn fast,’ Aurelia shot back. ‘You said so yourself when you taught me to use a sling.’ She held her breath, praying that he would agree.
A slow grin spread across Quintus’ face. ‘We could go “for a walk” up to the woods, to the place where I train.’
‘That’s exactly what I was thinking,’ cried Aurelia delightedly. ‘Mother doesn’t mind what we do as long as all of our homework is done, and our duties are completed.’
A frown creased his brow. ‘What’s in it for you? You’ll never be able to do it again once you’re…’ He gave her a guilty look.
‘That’s precisely why,’ Aurelia said fervently. ‘I’ll be married off within the year, most likely. Then I’ll have to resign myself to childminding and running a household for the rest of my life. What an opportunity to forget that fate!’
‘Mother will kill you if she finds out,’ Quintus warned.
Aurelia’s eyes flashed. ‘I’ll face that day if, or when, it comes.’
Quintus saw his sister’s resolve, and nodded. In truth, he felt glad to be able to help her, even if it would only be a temporary affair. He wouldn’t want the future she’d painted. ‘Very well.’
Aurelia stepped in to kiss his cheek. ‘Thank you. It means a lot to me.’
The moment that their tasks were done the following day, they met up in the atrium. Quintus slung an old sack over his shoulder; within were two of the wooden gladii, as well as a few snares. The latter could be pulled out in the event of any awkward questions from their mother. ‘Ready?’ Aurelia whispered excitedly.
He nodded.
They had gone a dozen steps when Atia appeared from the tablinum, a roll of parchment in one hand. She threw them a curious glance. ‘Where are you two going?’
‘For a walk,’ Aurelia replied lightly. She lifted the wicker basket in her right hand. ‘I thought you might like some mushrooms.’
‘I need to set some traps as well,’ Quintus added. He tapped his bow. ‘This is in case I see a deer.’
‘Make sure you’re back well before dark.’ Atia had taken a few steps when she turned. ‘Actually, why don’t you take the new slave with you? Hanno, I think he’s called. While he’s working in the kitchen, he might as well learn about foraging and catching game.’
‘That’s a good idea,’ said Aurelia, her face lighting up. Despite the fact that Hanno now worked in the house, she had found there was still hardly ever a chance to speak to him.
‘Is it?’ asked Quintus, looking irritated. ‘He might run away.’
Atia laughed. ‘With the manacles he’s wearing? I don’t think so. Besides, you can both practise your Greek with him. You’ll all be learning something.’
‘Yes, Mother,’ Quintus muttered unenthusiastically.
With an absent smile, Atia left them to it.
Aurelia poked Quintus. ‘She didn’t suspect a thing!’
Quintus grimaced. ‘No, but we’ve got to take the Carthaginian with us.’
‘So what? He can carry the sack.’
‘I suppose,’ Quintus admitted. ‘Go and get him then. Let’s not hang around.’
A short time later, they were following one of the narrow tracks that led through the fields to the edge of the farm. Shuffling because of his manacles, a bemused Hanno took up the rear. Aurelia’s offer of a trip into the woods had come as a welcome surprise. Although his job in the kitchen kept him safe from Agesandros, Hanno had begun to miss being in the open air. He longed for the companionship of Galba, Cingetorix and the other Gauls too. Julius and the rest of the domestic slaves were pleasant, but they were soft, and did little but gossip with each other. He wouldn’t see the Gauls today, but Hanno liked the sound of picking mushrooms, an activity that was unknown in Carthage, and of hunting, something he enjoyed greatly. Today he would have no time to brood.
It was when the two young Romans stopped in a large clearing that Hanno started to feel suspicious. The mushrooms that Aurelia had shown him on the way up had grown in shady areas under fallen trees, and only a fool would lay a snare or try waiting for a deer in the middle of an open space.
Quintus stalked over. ‘Give me the sack,’ he ordered.
Hanno obeyed. A moment later, he was most surprised to see two wooden swords clattering on to the soft earth. Gods, but how long it had been since he’d held a weapon! He still hadn’t fully realised what was going on when Quintus tossed one of the gladii to Aurelia.
‘These hurt like Hades if you land a blow, but they’re not likely to spill your guts on the ground.’
Aurelia moved the blade to and fro once or twice. ‘It feels very unwieldy.’
‘It’s double the weight of a real sword, to build up your fitness.’ Quintus saw her frown. ‘We don’t have to do this.’
‘Yes, we do,’ she retorted. ‘Show me how to hold the damn thing properly.’
Smiling, Quintus obeyed, gripping her wrist to move it slowly through the air. ‘As you know, it was made to cut and thrust. But it can slash too, which is how we use it in the cavalry.’
‘Shouldn’t we have shields too?’
He laughed. ‘Of course. But I think Mother might have realised what we were up to. Give me a few days. I’ll take them up here on my own one evening, when she’s taking her bath.’
Quintus began to teach Aurelia how to thrust the gladius forward. ‘Keep your feet close together as you move. It’s important not to over-extend yourself.’
After a while, Hanno began to grow bored. He would have loved to take Aurelia’s place, but that wasn’t going to happen. He glanced at his nearly empty basket, and coughed to get the young Romans’ attention.
Quintus turned, a frown creasing his brow. ‘What?’
‘We didn’t find many mushrooms on the way here. Should I go and pick some more?’
Quintus nodded in surprise. ‘Very well. You’re not to go far. And don’t get any ideas about running away.’
Aurelia looked more grateful. ‘Thank you.’
Hanno left them to it. He cast about the edge of the clearing, but found no mushrooms. Unnoticed by Quintus and Aurelia, he moved off into the undergrowth. The sounds of their voices became muffled and then were lost. Sunlight pierced the dense canopy above, lighting up irregular patches of the forest floor. Nonetheless, the air felt heavy. Hanno’s presence made birds flit from branch to branch, sounding their alarm calls. Soon he felt as if he was the only person in the world. He felt free. Right on cue, the manacles around his ankles clanked, and reality struck. Hanno cursed. Even if he tried to run, he wouldn’t get far. The moment Agesandros was alerted, he’d get out the hunting dogs. They’d track him down in no time. And of course there was the debt he owed Quintus. Sighing, Hanno got back to his task.
His luck was in. A quarter of an hour later, he returned to the clearing with a full basket.
Aurelia saw him first. ‘Well done!’ she cried, rushing over. ‘Those slender mushrooms with the flat caps are delicious when fried. You’ll have to try some later.’
Hanno’s lips turned up. ‘Thank you.’
Quintus glanced at the basket, but didn’t comment. ‘Race you to the stream,’ he said to Aurelia. ‘We can cool off before going back.’
With a giggle, she took off towards the far side of the clearing, from where the babble of running water could be heard.
‘Hey!’ Quintus shouted. ‘That’s cheating!’ Aurelia didn’t reply, and he sprinted after her.
Hanno looked after them wistfully, remembering similar good times with Suniaton. An instant later, though, his gaze fell on the two wooden swords, which had been left on the ground nearby. Quintus’ bow and quiver lay alongside. Without thinking, Hanno walked over and picked up a gladius. As Aurelia had said, it was awkward to
